| Sources |
- [S1262] Census - 1940 - USA, 1940_usa_hemond_leo_m-t0627-03771-00611 (Reliability: 3).
- [S66] Obits, roger_hemond.pdf.
- [S66] Obits, roger_hemond.pdf.
Roger Hemond, 74
Posted: Friday, August 26, 2011 1:00 am
Roger passed away at home Aug. 24, 2011. He was born Dec. 3, 1936, in Woonsocket, R.I., to Leo and Rose Aimee Hemond.
He attended schools in Woonsocket and at the age of 15, he volunteered to coach Little League. He started as a manager's helper and when he turned 18, he was asked to be a coach. At 21 he took a team as a manager. He continued managing, coaching and umpiring games until he was 65 years old. He liked serving on the safety committees and stopped many games to have a kid tie his shoelaces or get a clean ball so they could see it coming.
He married Rita Lambert in 1959 in Woonsocket and they were blessed with five sons, Charles, Luke, John, Marc and Matthew. When John was still little, the family moved to Lancaster, Calif. While there Roger opened his own business, Lancaster Piano & Organ. During this time Roger gave organ concerts, bringing back memories from the ‘20s through the ‘50s. Rita gave music lessons on several instruments. It's no wonder that all the boys were musically inclined; the youngest, Matthew, can play any instrument he's ever tried; excelling on drums and guitar, and never read music. Roger and Rita divorced after 30 years of marriage.
During his younger years, Roger joined many service organizations including the Elks, Eagles, Kiwanis and Knights of Columbus. Roger became a building contractor in California and had to retire after an accident that injured his back and legs. He taught his sons everything he knew, from music to sports to building houses. Today two of his sons are building contractors and one is a cabinet maker. His oldest son Charles was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident in California in 1976 when he was only 16. Roger's parents and his brother, Gil, preceded him in death.
Roger is survived by his wife, Dinah, at home; son Luke of Coalinga, Calif.; son Marc of Conover, N.C.; son Matt and wife Theresa of Newton, N.C.; son John and longtime girlfriend Debi Schneider of Hayden; brother Roland of Woonsocket; his favorite aunt, Rolande of Woonsocket; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Roger and Dinah met at a family Thanksgiving dinner in 2005. Dinah noticed his baby blue eyes and he liked her smile. He invited her to karaoke and she loved it so they started going six or seven times a week. They were married Jan. 20, 2007, giving Roger more family, stepson Todd Cook and step-daughter Debi Schneider, and several grandchildren. Roger and Dinah continued to go to karaoke (but not so often) in many places in Coeur d'Alene and Spokane. They loved to sing duets and Roger loved to sing her love songs and sometimes afterward, there wasn't a dry eye in the house, especially Dinah's.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene. Please visit Roger's online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.
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1936 - 2011 (74 years)
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